Suffering Comes

On November 29, 2024 By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

From YouVersion Bible App, “The God Who is Faithful, Day 5”

Suffering with Purpose

Paul understood the reality of suffering as well as anyone. His troubles extended to the point that he “despaired of life itself” (v. 8). But Paul recognized that just as believers share in the sufferings of Christ, “comfort abounds through Christ” (v. 5). Knowing this, Paul found joy in his own sufferings and encouraged the believers in Corinth to do the same. Further, Paul recognized that Christ comforts believers in their sufferings so that they, in turn, can bring comfort to others. Paul used his own times of suffering as opportunities to bless those around him. Even when all seemed lost, Paul knew that his suffering occurred so that he would learn to rely less on himself and more fully on God. Having seen Christ work in his own trials in the past, Paul had even greater confidence that God would continue to deliver him so that he might, in turn, continue to minister to the young church.

Just as Paul did, believers today can view struggles and suffering as opportunities to bless those around them. Just as he did not abandon Paul, Jesus will be faithful to his people in all circumstances.

Today’s Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for the growing pains I’ve experienced. Please use me and the experiences from my past to help others. Amen.

My Thoughts

I don’t know about you, but I am not one of those people who say about suffering: “Yes, please sign me up because I know God will be with me.” I am, however, realistic about the fact that we all suffer, to different degrees and at different times, and when we do, God is always there. I do not believe that all suffering happens to teach us a lesson. But I do believe that we can ask God to help us learn from what we go through so that we can help others who go through similar circumstances. I consider myself a realist. We live in the world. It is broken, and as a result of the sin that broke it, we are all suffering until Christ comes again. But we don’t have to suffer with bitterness or anger or even in vain. I truly believe that if we have to suffer, we should sincerely have our eyes open to the opportunities that God will give us to help others later. The One who suffered the most can relate to each of us in our pain and help us through. Then, we in turn, can help others.

Humility

On October 5, 2022 By vickleaIn Scripture3 Comments

This is a word that is hard to define or even describe. It’s much easier to think about its antonyms than its synonyms. When I looked up the word in an online dictionary, I found that it is defined as lowliness, with an antonym being pride. Well, that wasn’t much help. Jesus was humble and I want to grow in that trait, but I don’t know how if I can’t understand the definition. In my struggle, I finally came to terms with the fact that if I am thinking of myself first, I am not showing humility. If I consider myself “more than” others, whether it is more intelligent, more talented, prettier, etc. I am not being humble. Our yardstick of measurement is always the Lord and I am always less than in His presence. So, what is the purpose of humility?

It is when we are humble that we are teachable. That is when the Lord can guide us, when we get off our throne of knowledge and self-sufficiency and admit that we are nothing without the Lord. There is nothing I am and nothing that I can do without His guiding hand and help. He teaches me daily the way I should go, the things I should say (or in my case, it is mostly the things I should not say) and the people that I should approach and offer encouragement. But God can only do that if I am willing to put myself out there before Him and listen to what He is telling me to do and say and be. That means starting off with being humble before the King of the Universe.

When we humble ourselves before God, we don’t stay in that position forever. God lifts us up if we will allow Him to do so. It is when we are “tooting our own horns” that we cannot hear God’s instructions and the encouragement that only He can give. The promise is that He WILL lift you up, but this is like a conditional promise. First you humble yourself and then He does the “good job” part. I have found that sometimes I get ahead of God and I’m patting myself on the back before He can even tell me what else I need to do or what I should have done instead. That is not humility in action but pride and God has had to show me numerous times that I need to take a step back and see things the way He sees them, including taking a good look at myself and my efforts. I may have the best intentions but if what I am doing is to glorify myself, I am destined to failure. Sometimes, it will look like success, but it will never be what God intended for it to be unless I learn His ways and practice the humility that will give Him all the glory, recognizing that I am a tool in the hands of the Almighty.

May you be blessed today as you go out and come in, as you meet others and as you are seen by God and by those you meet. May they see Christ in you, the humble servant of His Father.

God Works Things Out

On August 24, 2022 By vickleaIn Scripture8 Comments

I know that I know that God is working things out, but like other humans, I have a tendency to keep pestering Him and asking that old question, “When, God? How long is this going to take?” I have learned that what I should be asking is “What lesson can I learn from this?”

As some of you on the prayer team know, our grandson was severely injured in an accident on his one-wheeler last week. He was rushed unconscious to the ER, underwent numerous tests and is banged up pretty good. His diagnosis is concussion, fractured clavicle and ruptured ear drum. I was blessed to hear that he had no brain damage and was happy that he could go home, be watched by his mom and go see specialists this week. Well, yesterday, he went to the ENT and it seems to be a “hurry up and wait” scenario since he was sent home to wash out his ear with hydrogen peroxide since there is too much blood present for the specialist to see well inside his ear. He goes back next week for another exam. Meanwhile, he is wearing a sling for his broken clavicle and has an appointment with Ortho on Thursday. Tempted to ask how long my beloved grandson must suffer before the healing comes, God has slowed me down and reminded me to ask what I can learn from this situation. For one, I am learning to pray and trust and to know how quickly things can change. I am learning that God knew what happened long before I did, had His hand on Tyler and is continuing to heal him, even if I don’t see much progress. Finally, I am learning that not all healing that has to be done is happening in Tyler. All of the family was affected by this accident that suddenly disrupted our lives, so I am learning to pray for each family member to get the takeaway that they need from it.

The Lord was not caught unaware or surprised by this event. He is always the same and continued on in His calming and loving way. He embraced us in our panic, gave us Scriptures to quote, friends to pray with and an overwhelming sense of peace because He is in control. Always in control and always working. That’s my God!

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